After a blowout loss to the Yankees yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to avoid being swept for the first time this season. Lefty Andrew Vasquez was optioned to AAA-ball. Infielder Kosuke Katoh was DF'A'd. Righty Casey Lawrence was recalled from AAA-ball. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off with Bradley Zimmer in CF. Vinny Capra got the start in RF. Could the Blue Jays avoid being swept and end the home stand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Matt Chapman whacked a solo bomb to dead center
- The Yankees tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Joey Gallo whacked a solo blast to straightaway center
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Bo Bichette
- Nestor Cortes pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R (both earned) 4BB 3K 83 pitches (51 for strikes)
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 7K 78 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano threw a scoreless 9th for his 12th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 1
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi had one of his better starts in a Blue Jays uniform, allowing 1 run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. The big number was the walks. Kikuchi's biggest issue thus far has been command. He's issued too many walks and when the ball is hit in play it is hit hard because the pitch got too much of the strike zone. Hopefully this encouraging start is a sign of things to come
- Things got dicey in the final inning. Jordan Romano worked himself into a bases loaded jam, allowing a pair of hits and a walk. It took a great play by Matt Chapman to end the game.
- It nearly didn't happen. The final out of the game had to survive a challenge by the Yankees. The scenario was almost identical to the7th inning of last night's game were a bad throw by Bo Bichette forced Vlad to stretch. Unlike last night, the correct call was made and Romano's save streak remained intact
- Offensively, the Blue Jays did next to nothing. They went 1-2 with runners in scoring position. Every Blue Jays starter except George Springer, Tyler Heineman and Bradley Zimmer reached base at least once. Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette reached base multiple times.
- Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road for a four game series against the Cleveland Gaurdians (formerly known as the Cleveland Indians). Jose Berrios starts against Guardians righty Aaron Civale
